Barry Hearn says snooker has the expertise to thrive as soon as Ronnie O’Sullivan retires: “We are going to discover the subsequent stage and we do have younger individuals with enormous potential, particularly younger individuals in China” Hearn reiterates World Championship might go away Sheffield
Final up to date: 16/08/24 11:18am
Barry Hearn thinks 48-year-old Ronnie O’Sullivan nonetheless has a protracted technique to go in top-level snooker
Barry Hearn has instructed Sky Sports activities he believes snooker will live on as soon as Ronnie O’Sullivan retires, as soon as once more speaking in regards to the potential for the World Championship to be misplaced if a brand new, greater Crucible is just not in-built Sheffield Switch globally.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan, 48, stays snooker’s greatest attraction 32 years after he and fellow ‘Class of ’92’ gamers Mark Williams and John Higgins turned skilled.
The way forward for snooker has been a scorching matter of late at The Crucible, a membership that has hosted the World Championship yearly since 1977 and whose contract to host the event expires in 2027.
Hearn mentioned there are a lot of skills rising in snooker, particularly in China
Former World Snooker chairman Hearn hopes to construct a brand new venue in Yorkshire – the present venue can solely accommodate 980 individuals – and insists his “first alternative” is to remain in Sheffield, however has not dominated out a rotation abroad sexual foundation.
Hearn mentioned of O’Sullivan: “Ronnie is a genius, he does not comply with the conventional mildew of most athletes – that is an understatement.
“He is 48 and he is most likely taking part in the very best of his life, so I can see this younger man persevering with to play so long as he desires to.
“However we’re additionally dedicated to rising the game all over the world and the indicators are there. We have now to construct the subsequent ’92 Class, who’ve dominated extremely for over 30 years.
“We are going to discover a greater stage, and we do have younger individuals with extraordinary skills, particularly younger individuals in China.
“However let’s wait and see how they develop. ‘Class of ’92’ is clearly not over but.”
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Sky Sports activities’ Cam Hogwood explains how the Snooker World Championship will transfer away from the occasion’s iconic Crucible
“The crucible is our dwelling – but it surely have to be match for goal”
On whether or not the World Snooker Championship will go away Sheffield, Hearn mentioned: “I feel snooker’s present state of affairs will very a lot fall on the toes of Sheffield Metropolis Council.
“We love Sheffield – it has been our dwelling for 40 years and has a wealthy historical past. But it surely needs to be match for goal.
“Sheffield Metropolis Council is on the lookout for a brand new Crucible and hopefully it will likely be profitable, but when it isn’t then we should maintain our choices open.
“I do not assume ‘our new house is Saudi Arabia’ is a matter, but when Sheffield does not provide you with what we wish – a 3,000-seat venue – World Snooker shall be seeking to win the world championship. All around the world.
“You would possibly discover it in Saudi Arabia for a 12 months, Beijing for a 12 months and so forth. After a 12 months it would come again to Sheffield. Our first choice is to remain in Sheffield – please let that occur.”
